In 1957 Prime Minister Harold Macmillan famously declared that Britons have 'never had it so good'. This was the case for millions who benefited from full employment, economic prosperity, and the safety net of the welfare state. But this was not the case for everyone. The modernising project of post-war Britain with slum clearance, redevelopment and the decline of old industries left many families still living with experiences of hardship. This talk uses social work case files to explore child poverty despite the welfare state in the nine historic townships of the area which makes up modern day Tameside. The life histories of these mothers and children show a rich and complex history hidden beneath the surface of full employment and economic prosperity.